Rookie to the Art of Being a Band Member

[bass_player_k]

Ok so yesterday I was asked if I wanted to join a band but I have never been in a band before outside of stuff like back in the high school band(playing another insturment) and church. I have played in front of people before but I have never been in a gigging band before. What am I supposed to do? I mean I know how to play with a group but I guess I think that I'm not good enough to be in a band considering that I've been playing bass for about 2 1/2 yrs.

[Rudreax]

Unless you don't like the music, join. One of the best ways to expand as a musician is by playing with other people.

[PBass101]

Originally Posted by bass_player_k

Ok so yesterday I was asked if I wanted to join a band but I have never been in a band before outside of stuff like back in the high school band(playing another insturment) and church. I have played in front of people before but I have never been in a gigging band before. What am I supposed to do? I mean I know how to play with a group but I guess I think that I'm not good enough to be in a band considering that I've been playing bass for about 2 1/2 yrs.

I joined a band with a fantastic guitarist and a really good drummer after playing bass for less than ten months. I can honestly say that I've grown alot more as a musician playing with them than if I had just sat in my room playing alone.

Something about structured rehearsals, the demand of other musicians, and the lingering threat of having to actually play in front of other people gets your ass in gear pretty quickly.

[SLIV]

I think everyone in the world should play in a band.

Its not hard to play in one; it's hard to play in a good one. Join, have fun. When its not fun, quit and form something else.

Good luck.

[Krakmann]

Salud!

Just try not to be the one who doesn't do his/her homework and have a reliable gear.

[bluevoodoo]

I played guitar for about two years and when I joined a band we needed a bass player. I volunteered myself and ended up playing bass for gigs and writing songs on guitar. The best advice I could give you if you are starting to play live music is know the songs as well as you can and try to display the energy in the music live the best you can when you play with stage presence. Unlike just practicing in your basement you have to put on a show to get the audiences attention. that means jumpin around or lookin blue whatever it has to be connect with the audience and that includes your bandmates too because they will be listening more than anybody will.

Just remember if your not gettin paid you better be havin a damn good time.

[Lutuh]

Originally Posted by bass_player_k

What am I supposed to do?

Join that band?
There is no magic in playing in a band, and 2 1/2 years are lots of experience on an instrument.

And +1 to being prepared by practicing your ass off at home, having sufficiently good gear (for the beginning), being on time for rehearsals and always have spares with you (cables, strings, batteries).

[Luke.Walton]

Originally Posted by bluevoodoo

I played guitar for about two years and when I joined a band we needed a bass player. I volunteered myself and ended up playing bass for gigs and writing songs on guitar. The best advice I could give you if you are starting to play live music is know the songs as well as you can and try to display the energy in the music live the best you can when you play with stage presence. Unlike just practicing in your basement you have to put on a show to get the audiences attention. that means jumpin around or lookin blue whatever it has to be connect with the audience and that includes your bandmates too because they will be listening more than anybody will.

Just remember if your not gettin paid you better be havin a damn good time.

+1

Luke.

[EddiePlaysBass]

Originally Posted by Lutuh

Join that band?
There is no magic in playing in a band, and 2 1/2 years are lots of experience on an instrument.

One thing I found out real soon after joining my first band (after 7 months of having a bass and playing it, too) was that the stuff that seemingly comes easily when playing along with records, can be very hard in an actual band setting.

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by bass_player_k

Ok so yesterday I was asked if I wanted to join a band ... What am I supposed to do?

Say yes.

[MalcolmAmos]

Know the music.
Show up on time.
Bring everything you will need.
That should include a two to three way electrical plug - just in case.
Play THE music the director wants played.
Get along. That is the most important part of being a member of a band. If you get along, augment the efforts of your other band mates and do not hog the stage or step on their toes - only one solo at a time, that's why it's called a solo. Do that and they will teach you what you need to know. O'h yes help them haul in their stuff, be the roadie until the next new member shows up.

Have fun.

[Chickencha]

Originally Posted by bass_player_k

...I guess I think that I'm not good enough to be in a band considering that I've been playing bass for about 2 1/2 yrs.

I've been playing for about as long as you have and I've been in a band for a year and a half. If you want to do it, go do it.

[MatticusMania]

Have fun!

I started playing bass in a band efore I even had one available to play. I started writing my parts on a friends acoustic guitar. Ive been playing in bands for as long as Ive been playing bass. You'll do fine!

[DeluxeRed]

Take the gig, and when you do, remember, you're not playing along with them--they're playing along with you! Know your part and DRIVE the music, do let it drive you. Listen to (or watch) the kick drum and hi hat--that's where your beat is. PUSH. You have nothing to lose. The worst that can happen is that the song doesn't go great. In rehearsal, so what? Nobody is bleeding, just do it again and over and over until it's right. Be prepared to work hard. Good luck and have fun!

[Stumbo]

You might want to check out the links in my sig. below.

Good luck.

[mkrtu9]

Rockin with a group is whats fun to me. Join up and have some fun.

[mambo4]

+1 to everyone who says join up. The fastest way to learn what is practical as a bassist.

Learn the songs well enough to keep going when you screw up.

It is extremely difficult to judge how the whole band sounds when you are struggling to remember your part. Learn the songs on your own time as well as possible: write down the chords and structure, record if you can, practice the form/arrangement of the song at home, on your own time. Your goal should be to walk into rehearsal knowing how the song is structured. Then you can focus on how the song sounds when you rehearse

[MNAirHead]

Learn to sing backup

Ask to be mentored

Do everything you can to make up for your learning stage (selling is always the biggest need).

Take notes

Tim

PS I'm probably the only one suggesting being selective for your first band - you can learn some bad habbits with the wrong guys.

[kraigo]

My best bands have been with friends. They might not be friends now, but do your best to make them friends. Or if it doesn't work out, one side or the other (them or you) will decide to make the change.

No guts, no glory! Get in there and have fun. Rehearsals are fun, gigs are even better! There are always times that you'll dread dragging your ass out of the house for rehearsal. When I am still dragging my ass in from a rehearsal that wasn't all that inspiring I start thinking about all the things I could accomplish if I _WASN'T_ in that band, it starts being time to quit. I may bew approaching that point with one of my current bands.

Especially when you get older with similarly aged band mates, one band will taper off at times due to domestic responsibilities. I like to be in multiple bands so I can keep my rehearsal schedule somewhat full.

Have fun!

KO

[kraigo]

+1 one to what Tim said! BTW, no one wants to play with a timid bass player or drummer. Wrong or right, hit that thing!

KO